The 9th Annual Whitney’s Walk For Life will be held on Saturday, July 28 at Jubilee College State Park near Brimfield, Illinois with a 5K run at 7:55 a.m. and a 5K walk to begin at 8:00 a.m. Proceeds from the event help support mental health screenings, depression awareness and suicide prevention programs supported by Mental Health America of Illinois Valley.

Whitney’s Walk for Life was organized in loving memory of 16-year-old Whitney Ann Grotts of Brimfield. She was a bright, beautiful young lady of with a promising future who, tragically, fell victim to suicide on March 15, 2004. Since 2004, over $500,000 has been raised by Whitney’s Walk. Ninety percent of proceeds are administered through Mental Health America of Illinois Valley, Inc., and ten percent of proceeds are distributed to the Whitney Grotts Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Illinois

Registration for the event can be made online through July 26th at www.whitneyswalk.com. Pre-registration is preferable but registration can also be done on the day of the event from 6:45 to 7:30 a.m. for runners and 7:00 to 7:45 a.m. for walkers.

The registration fee for the Run or the Walk is $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 years and under. Teams can be formed with a minimum of 5 walkers, runners or donors who raise at least $250.

In the United States there are over 100 suicides every day with one occurring every 14 minutes. Statistically, suicide is the third leading cause of death among individuals from 15-24 years of age, making it critical to seek recovery. Recovery from mental illness is not only possible but it is probable with 70 to 90% of those who receive help going on to lead healthy, productive lives. For more information, call Mental Health America of Illinois Valley at 309-692-1766.